First sales of new homes will be exempt from Home Information Packs proposals in the Housing Bill. Housing minister Keith Hill told delegates at the National House-building Council's annual lunch that home condition reports will not be required where a new home is registered under a warranty scheme, such as the NHBC's. Homes sold off-plan will also be exempt. "The Home Information Pack will make home buying and selling easier and more transparent by making key information available right at the start of the process," said Hill. "It is part of an overall drive to modernise and improve the quality of homes in this county." * New NHBC chairman Sir John Carter told delegates that working collabortively with government is the way forward for the organisation.